USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 32
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Feb. 5, 1851
Extinct. Extinct.
Oswego Academy
Otsego Academy.
Ovid Academy ..
Owcgo Academy
Oxford Academy
Oyster Bay Academy
Packer Collegiate Institute
Palmyra Academy Palmyra High School. Palmyra Classical Union School Peekskill Academy.
Pembroke & Darien Class. Sch. Peufield Seminary.
Pembroke. Darien, Genesee co. Penfield, Monroe co.
Perry, Wyoming co ...
Perry Center, Wyoming co ..
Peterboro, Madison co.
Albion, Orleans co. Piermont, Rockland co .. Plattsburgh, Clinton co.
April 21, 1828
Pompey, Onondaga co ...
Poughkeepsic, Dutchess co.
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess co.
Poughkeepsie. Dutchess co.
Prattsville, Grecne co. Preble, Cortland co ..
April 24, 1834
Princetown Academy
Princetown, Schenectady co.
Prospect, Oncida co ...
Pulaski, Oswego co ...
June 4, 1853
Randolph, Cattaraugus co.
Red Creek. Wayne co ..
Redhook, Dutchess co.
Mar. 27, 1839 April 23, 1823 May , 8, 1837
Jan. 24, 1851 Feb. 5. 1846 Feb. 23. 1829 Feb. 5. 1846 Jan. 30. 1845 Feb. 23, 1841 April 12, 1850
Extinct.
Troy, Rensselaer co.
Rensselaerville. Albany co ...
Rhinebeck, Dutchess co. Richburgh, Allegany co.
Richmondville, Schoharie co. Minisink, Orange co ...
April 30, 1839
Riga, Monroe co.
Rochester, Mouroe co.
Rochester, Monroe co. Rochester, Mouroe co.
April 21, 1837 Mar. 15, 1827
Feb. 10. 1854 Feb. 11. 1840 May 11, 1846 Feb. 26, 1839 Feb. 5, 1839 April 19, 1831
Extinct.
Merged in Rochester Col- legiate Institute. Extinct. Extinct. Provisional charter.
Extinct.
Rome. Oneida co.
Royalton, Niagara co ...
Montgomery. Orange co
Rushford, Allegany co.
New York City
Rye. Westchester co.
Sag Harbor, Suffolk co.
Potsdam, St. Lawrence co.
Flushing. Queens co.
May 9, 1840
Sand Lake Academy.
Sand Lake. Rensselaer co ....... Saratoga Springs
April 28. 1835
Sangerties, Fister co.
Sangnoit, Oneida co.
Schaghticoke. Rensselaer co ..
Max 4. 1836
Jan. 29, 1793 Feb. 5. 1-39
Feh. 5. 1839
Feb. 5, 1839
a Entitled to a share of the Literature Fund by act of April I changed to " Seminary of Genesee and Oneida Conference" 15, 1830.
March 24. 1829, and to the present name May 5, 1535. dCharter amended March 16. 1858.
b Merged in the Public School System of Ogdensburgh by act of April 13, 1857. e Revised by act of April 17. 1818. See also act of April 25, 1831. S Allowed to educate females by act of March 28, 1839.
" Incorp. as the "Seminary of the Genesee Conference ;" name
New York City
April 15, 1817
Feb. 10, 1854 Mar. 17, 1854 Feb. 19, 1790 Feb. 14, 1843
Extinct.
Merged in Public Schools.
Extinct. Provisional Charter.
Ontario Female Seminary Ontario High School. Orleans Academy
Oswegatchie Academy.
Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence co ... West Oswego, Oswego co. Cherry Valley, Otsego co.
Ovid, Seneca co.
Owego, Tioga co ... Oxford, Cheuango co.
Oyster Bay, Qucens Co ...
Brooklyn, Kings co ....
Palmyra, Wayne co.
Palmyra, Wayne co.
Palmyra, Wayne co. Peekskill, Westchester co.
Mar. 19, 1853 April 11, 1842 Mar. 28, 1829 April 7, 1857 April 16, 1838 April 6, 1838
July 2, 1833
Feb. 5,1839
Provisional Charter.
Extinct.
Peterboro Academy ..
Phipps Union Seminary Picrinont Academy Plattsburgh Academy
Pompey Academy
Poughkeepsie Collegiate School Poughkeepsie Female Academy Poughkeepsic Female Seminary Prattsville Academy ..
May 26, 1836 May 10, 1836 Mar. 19, 1834
Jan. 31, 1850
Extinct. Not. organized. Extinct.
Prospect Academy Pulaski Academy
Randolph Acad. Association Red Creek Academy
Redhook Academy. Renssclaer Polytechnic Inst. Rensselaerville Academy .. Rbincbeck Academy Richburgh Academy
Richmondville Union Seminary & Female Collegiate Inst. Ridgebury Academy .. Riga Academy. Rochester Collegiate Institute .. Rochester Female Academy Rochester High School.
Rochester Inst. General Ednc .. Rochester Inst. Practical Educ. Rockland County Female Inst. Rogersville Union Seminary. Roine Academy Romc Academy.
Rochester, Monroe co.
Orangetown, Rockland co.
Rogersville. Struben co .. Rome, Oneida co.
April 28, 1835 Jan. 28. 1848 April 9, 1839
Mar. 15, 1849
April 1, 1852 Mar. 4, 1852 Jan. 23, 1840
April 10. 1838 April 13. 1826
Jan. 20, 1848 Mar. 25, 1816
Extinct. Extinct.
Feb. 19. 1846
April 7.1854 April 6, 1849
Extinct. Merged in Union Coll. 1795 Extinct.
Schenectady. Schenectady co. Schenectady. Schenectady co. Schenectady. Schencebuly co. Schoharie, Schoharic co.
M:u. 22. 1837 April 28. 1837
Jan. 30, 1845 Feb. 5, 1839 April 11, 1853 Jan. 29, 1828 Mar. 24, 1829 July 9, 1857 April 10, 1813 Jan. 29, 1828
Cazenovia, Madison co ...
April 6, 1825
Whitesboro', Oncida co.
Oneida, Madison co ....
April 14, 1825 April 6, 1830
April 26, 1833 April 25, 1833
April 13, 1826
April 16, 1828 Jan. 27, 1794 Mar. 15, 1803
Extinct.
Jan. 11, 1855
Extinct.
Perry Academy Perry Center Institute
Oct. 8, 1857 April 7, 1854 Jau. 31, 1843 Jan. 23, 1853 Feb. 11, 1840 Mar. 15. 1842 Mar. 4, 1829 Mar. 11, 1811 Feb. 9, 1839 Feb. 28, 1837
Extinct.
I'reble High School.
Oct. 20. 1853 Jan. 24, 1851
Became private inst. 1855.
Extinct.
Rochester, Monroe co.
April 19, 1828 April 14. 1832
Oct. 12, 1855 Jan. 29, 1853
Not organized.
Royalton Center Academy Rural Academy .. Rushford Academy. Rutger's Female Instituted. Rye Academy Sag Harbor Institute. St. Lawrence Academy. St. Paul's College, The Propri- etors of.
Saratoga Acad. & Sci. Inst. Sangerties Academy Sanquoit Academy. Schaghticoke Seminary. Schenectady Academy ... Schenectady Lyceum & AcadS .. Schenectady Young Ladies' Som Schoharic Academy
Mar. 21. 1837
Feb. 8, 1796 Jan. 26, 1830
Mar. 16, 1837
Norwich Union Seminary. Nunda Literary Institute. Ogdensburgh Academyő
134
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
Academies incorporated since 1777, continued.
NAME.
Location.
Incorp. by Legislature.
Incorp. by Regents.
Remarks.
Schnylerville Academy
Schuylerville, Saratoga co ...
Jan. 23, 1840
Scientific & Military Academy of Western District.
Whitesboro', Oneida co ..
April 17, 1826 April 27, 1837
Jan. 9, 1829 Feb. 5, 1839
Extinct.
Seneca Falls Academy ..
Seneca Falls, Seucca co.
Rochester, Monroe co.
April 5, 1839
Feb. 11, 1840 Jan. 23, 1840
Merged in Public Schools.
Skaneateles Academy.
Skaneateles, Onoudaga co.
April 14, 1829
Jan. 11, 1855
Southold Academy
Southold, Suffolk co.
April 21, 1837
Dec. 3, 1847
Springville Academy
S. S. Seward Institute
Florida, Orange co ...
May 7, 1847
Feb. 4, 1848
Starkey Seminary.
Starkey, Yates co.
Feb. 25, 1848
Steubeu Academy ..
Steuben, Oneida co ...
Jan. 29, 1828
Stillwater Academy.
Stillwater, Saratoga co.
Jan. 29, 1839
Stillwater Seminary
Stillwater, Saratoga co
Feb. 25, 1848
Sullivan County Academy. Susquehanna Seminary.
Bloomingburgh, Sullivan co. Binghamton, Broome co.
April 5, 1828
Mar. 31, 1831
Syracuse Academy
Syracuse, Onondaga co.
April 28, 1835
Ticonderoga Academy.
Ticonderoga, Essex co ..
Troy Academy.
Troy, Rensselaer co ..
May 5, 1834
Troy Episcopal Institute
Troy, Rensselaer co ...
April 13, 1839 May 6, 1837
Trumansburgh Academy
Ulysses, Tompkins co.
Turin, Lewis co.
April 30, 1839
Extinct.
Unadilla Academy.
Unadilla, Otsego co ...
April 1, 1852
Union Academy.
Mar. 31, 1795
Union Academy
Jan. 11, 1855
Union Ilall
Jamaica, Queens co ...
Feb. 29, 1792
Union Literary Society
Belleville. Jefferson co.
April 13, 1826
Jan. 5, 1830
Uuion Village Academy.
Union Village, Washingtou co.
Jan. 23, 1840
Utica Academy.
Utica, Oneida co ...
Mar. 14, 1814
Merged in Public Schools.
Utica Academy
Utica, Oneida co ..
Utica Female Academy.
Utica, Oneida co.
Vernon Academy.
Vernon, Queida co.
Victory Academy.
Victory, Cayuga co.
May 26, 1853 April 28, 1837 April 18, 1838 May 21, 1836
Wallabout Select Gram. School of the 7th Ward in the City of Brooklyn ..
Brooklyn. Kings co.
May 4, 1839
Wallkill Academy.
Wallkill, Orange co.
May 26, 1841
Walton Academy
Walton. Delaware co. Walworth, Wayne co.
May 12, 1841
Warnerville Union Seminary & Female Institute.
Warnerville, Schoharie co.
Jan. 27, 1854
Not organized.
Warsaw Union School ..
Warsaw, Wyoming co.
Jan. 11. 1855
Warwick Institute ..
Warwick, Orange co.
Mar. 17, 1854
Washington Academy
Salem, Washington co.
Feb. 15, 1791 Mar. 25, 1811
Extinct.
Washington County Seminary & Collegiate Institute
July 6, 1854
Waterford Academy.
Feb. 5, 1839
Waterford Female Academy.
Waterford, Saratoga co ...
Mar. 19, 1819
Waterloo Academy .
Waterloo, Seneca co.
April 11, 1842
Waterloo Union School
Waterloo, Seneca co.
Watertown Academy@
Watertown, Jefferson co.
May 2, 1835
Waverly Institute.
Waverly, Tioga co.
Jan. 21, 1858
Weedsport Academy.
Weedsport, Caynga co ....
April 18, 1838
Westfield Academy.
Westfield, Chautauqua co.
May 5, 1837
Feb. 5. 1839 Mar. 22, 1855 Jan. 30. 1540 Feb. 14, 1851
Extinct.
West Winfield Academy
West Winfield, Herkimer co.
Whitehall Academy
Whitehall. Washington co.
April 20, 1839
Extinct.
Whitehall Acadenty White Plains Academy
White Plains, Westchester co ...
April.19, 1828
Jan. 26, 1830
Extinct.
Whitesboro' Academy.
Whitesboro', Oneida co.
Mar. 23. 1813 | Extinct.
Whitestown Seminary
Whitesboro', Oneida co.
. .!..
Mar. 27, 1845
Wilson Collegiate Institute. Windsor Academy.
Windsor, Broome co ..
May 16, 1837
Extinct.
Windsor Academy.
Windsor, Broome co.
Mar. 15: 1849
Yates Academy ..
Yates Center, Orleans co.
Aug. 23. 1842 |
Yates County Academy & Fe- male Seminary .
Penn Yan, Yates co.
April 17, 1828
Jan. 25. 1830 April 11, 1-53
Extinct.
Yates Polytechnic Institute .....
Chittenango, Madison co.
a Charter repealed Feb. 19, 1841. Merged in Black River Literary and Religious Institute.
Extinct.
Feb. 13. 1842 Feb. 10, 1854 April 19, 1843
Walworth Academy
Washington Academy
Warwick, Orange co.
Fort Edward, Washington co ... Waterford, Saratoga co.
April 28, 1834
Extinct. Extinct. Merged in Union School.
West Ilebron Classical School .. Westtown Academy
Hebron, Washington co.
Westtown. Orange co.
April 18, 1839
Whitehall. Washington co ..
Oct. 27, 1848
Wilson. Niagara co.
Feb. 19, 1846
Extinct. Extinct. Extinct. Extinct.
Extinct.
Feb. 5, 1839
Troy Female Seminary
Troy, Rensselaer co ...
Jan. 30, 1838 July 6, 1854
Turin Academy ....
Speucertown, Columbia co. Springvillo, Erie co ...
Mar. 19, 1827
Jan. 26, 1830
Sodus Academy
Sodus, Wayne co ...
May 13, 1845
Spencertown Academy
Seward Female Seminary of Rochester
Extinct.
Sherburne Academy.
Sherburne, Chenango co.
April 17, 1826
April 7, 1854
Feb. 5, 1839 April 8, 1858
Stone Arabia, Montgomery co .... Granger, Allegauy co.
Extinct. Provisional charter.
Feb. 5, 1839 Feb. 5, 1839
Aug. 23, 1842 Oct. 11, 1855
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
DEN
EXCELSIOR
AMPLE provisions have been made by the State for the establish- ment and support of public schools throughout its borders. To this end the whole inhabited portions of the State have been divided into convenient districts, in each of which a school is taught some portion of the year and is open to all and within the reach of all. These schools are supported in part by money derived from the State, in part by a rate bill collected from parents of children attending school, and in part by a tax upon the property of the district.1
School Districts are formed and altered by school com- missioners. These districts are so formed as to best accommodate all the inhabitants of the various localities and at the same time seeure efficiency in school organizations. Each district has a schoolhouse and a library. Its monetary affairs are arranged, and its officers elected, at annual meetings of all the taxable in- habitants. Its offieers are trustees, a elerk, a collector, and a librarian.2
School Commissioners are elected in each of the Assembly districts of the State outside of the cities, and have the general supervision of schools. They examine and license teachers, visit the schools, and in every possible way endeavor to advance the general interests of education. They report annually to the State department of education.
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is the administrative officer of the school department. He has an office in the State Hall at Albany, and has a deputy and the necessary number of clerks. He hears and decides appeals from the school officers and Com- missioners, and has the general supervision of the common schools, Indian schools, the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and all similar institutions in the State. Ile is ex officio a member of the Board of Regents of the University, is chairman of the Executive Committee of the Normal Sehool, and a trustee of the State Asylum for Idiots. He also apportions the school fund among the several counties and districts as the law directs.
The school fund of the State, derived from a variety of sources, in 1859 yielded a revenue of $264,500.3 This sum, and the amount derived from the 2 mill tax, is divided among the schools as follows :- One-third is divided among the districts in proportion to the number of teachers employed, and the remaining two-thirds are distributed to the several counties in proportion to their population, and thence distributed to the districts in proportion to the number of children between the ages of 4 and 21.
District Libraries were established in 1838; and from that period to 1851, with few inter- missions, the sum of $55,000 was annually appropriated for the purchase of books." These
1 In 1859 the amount divided by the State among the several | 1819, One-half of the arrears of quitrents .. $26,690
districts was $1.316,607.18. Of this sum $1.052.107.15 was de- rived from the ? mill State tax. and $26 6.500 from the interest of the common school fund.
A record is kept of the attendance of each pupil. and the amount due for teachers' wages above that received from the State is assessed in proportion to this attendance. Cust of fuel, repairs, and the amount of rate bills phated to indigent parents are met by a tax upon the property of the district.
2 District Meetings decide upon questions of building and re- pairing schoolhouses, furnishing them. providing fuel and facili- ties for teaching. within the limits of the law. The anmal meetings for the election of officers are held on the second Tuesday of Oct. throughout the State. The Board of Trustees, consisting of 1 or 3 at the option of the district. constitute the cxcentive officers of the district. The Trustees engage teachers, properly furnish the schoolhouse, provide fuel, and execute the wishes ot the district as expressed in the district meetings, They have also the care of the district library. The Clerk preserves the records of the district and calls district meetings.
3 The school fund was chielly derived from the following sources :-
1799, Seven-eighths of four lotteries of $100.000, appre- gate .. $ $7.500
1501. One-hudf of lotteries of Ston,non, aggregate ...
1805, Proceeds of 500.000 acres of land sold.
" Stuck subscribed in Merchants Bank, and in- creased in 1807 and '08.
1816. Que-half of the proceeds of the Crumhorn Moun- tain Tract of 6,944g acres nmounting to. 5.208
.. An exchange of securities between general and common school fund, by which the school fund gained. 161,641
..
Proceeds ofescheated lands in Military Tract given.
1822, By the Constitution, all public lands, amounting to 991.659 acres. were given to the school fund.
1527. Balance of loan of 1786, amounting to. 33.616
.. Rauk stock owned by the State. 100.000
.. Canal ..
.. 150,000
1838. From the revenue of the United States deposit fund. annually. 110,000 An additional sum from the same fund for libraries 55,000
The sum of $25.000 from the revenge of the United States deposit fund is annually added to the capital of the common school fund : and the capital of this fund Is declared by the Con- stitution to be inviolate.
In chirecting the sale of the public lands, the State reserved certain lots in the 10 Towns of St. Lawrence co, and in the Che- mango 20 Townships, for gospel and school purposes. The pro- crois from the sales of these lands have formed a local fund for the benefit of the towns in which they lie. Many other towns have small finds. derived from fines and penalties, applicable to 50.000 . schools. Ser p. 47.
+ The following directions ure given in the selection of books :-- " 1. No works written professedly to uphold or attack any sect or creed in our country claiming to be a religions one shall be tolerated in the school libraries.
"2. Standard works on other topics shall not be excluded
135
£
£
136
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
libraries, free to every person in the district, generally comprise books on seientific and literary subjects and affording means of information which would otherwise be unattainable.
The State Normal School was established in 1844, for the instruction and practice of teachers of common schools in the science of education and the art of teaching. It is supported by an annual appropriation from the literature fund, and is under the immediate charge of an executive committee appointed by the Regents of the University. Each county in the State is entitled to send twiee as many pupils to the school as it sends members to the Assembly. The pupils receive tuition and the use of textbooks free, and also receive a small amount of mileage. The school is located at the corner of Howard and Lodge Streets, Albany.1
The law makes provision for the establishment of Union Free Schools wherever tho inhabitants may desire it, and for the formation of Colored Schools in districts where the presence of colored children is offensive to a majority of the people of the district.2
Previous to the Revolution no general system of education was established. All the schools that liad been founded were of a private character or the result of special legislation. The necessity and importance of common schools had not been recognized, and education was princi- pally confined to the wealthier classes. At the first meeting of the State Legislature, in 1787, Gor. Clinton called the attention of that body to the subject of education, and a law was passed providing for the appointment of the Regents of the University. In 1789 an act was passed appro- priating certain portions of the public lands for gospel and school purposes. In 1793 the Regents in their report recommended the establishment of a general system of common schools; and in 1795 Gov. Clinton in his message to the Legislature strongly urged the same.3 On the 9th of April of that year a law was passed "for the purpose of encouraging and maintaining schools in the several citics and towns in this State, in which the children of the inhabitants of the State shall be instructed in the English language, or be taught English grammar, arithmetic, mathe- matics, and such other branches of knowledge as are most useful and necessary to complete a good English education." By this act the sum of £20,000, or $50,000, was annually appropriated for 5 years for the support of these schools.4
The beneficial result of this system, imperfect as it was, became at once apparent; and from time to time measures were taken to itterease the funds and to improve the system.5 The successive Governors nearly all strongly recommended the passage of new laws for the encouragement and support of schools ;6 but nothing definite was accomplished until 1811, when 5 commissioners were
because they incidentally and indirectly betray the religious opinions of their anthors,
"3. Works, avowedly on other topics, which abound in direct and unreserved attacks on. or defense of. the character of any religions sect, or those which hold upany religions body to cual- tempt or execration by singling out or bringing together only the darker parts of its history or character, shall be excluded from the school libraries. In the selection of books for a dis- trict library, information, and not merr amusement, is to be regarded as the primary object. Snitalde provision should, however. be made for the intellectual wants of the young. by furnishing them with books which, without being merely juvenile in their character. may be brevet tutheir comprehension and sufficiently entertaining to excite and gratify a taste for realing. It is useless to buy books which are not read."-Code of Public Inst., 1856. p. 326.
yet it cannot be denied that they are principally confined to the children of the opulent, and that a great portion of the commin- uity is exchided from their immediate advantages. The esta- Wi-hment of common schools throughout the State is happily cab:ulated to remedy this inconvenience, and will therefore en- gage your carly and decided consideration."
+ The principal features of the system inaugurated by this act were as follows :-
1. The public money was to be appropriated to the several connties in the proportion of their representation in the Legis- lature, and to the towns in proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants in each.
2. The Boards of Supervisors 'were required to raise by tax ou-half as much as they received from the State.
3. Each town was to elect not less than 3 nor more than 7 commissioners, to take general charge of the schools, toexamine teachers, and to apportion the public moneys in the several dis- tricts.
1 Males are admitted ut 18 and females at 16 years of age : and upon entering each one is required to sign a pledge that he intends to become a teacher. The number of graduates up 4. The people in each district were authorized to elect 2 or interests of the school. to the close of the thirteenth year. 1856-57. was 999, awt the ; more trustees, to employ teachers, and to attend to the special number of pupils at that time was 223. The school for several years occupied the building near the head of State Street. now 5. The public money was to be divided among the various districts In proportion to the number of days' instruction given in each. known as " Van Vechten Hall." In Ists the present building was erected, at a cost of $25.000. The experimental school taught by the graduating class numbers somewhat over 100 0. Annual reports were to he made from the districts, towns, ami counties. pupila These pay tuition, and are elected or appointed by the Executive Committee.
The returns of 1798 show a total of 1,352 schools organized and 59,660 children taught.
2 Under the I'nion Free School law a large number of schools have been established in different parts of the State. These 5 An act was passed in 1799 anthorizing the raising of $100,000 schools are supported by a direct tax upon the property of the by 4 lotteries. $97,500 of which was appropriated for the support district, and the rate hill system is discarded. Free schools are of emminon schools. In 1801 $100.000 more was raised by lottery for school purposes, of which sum $50.000 was devoted to cath- mon schools. In 1800 a bill appropriating $50.000 to the smp- jwirt of common schools passed the Assembly, but was debated in the Senate. established in all thorities and in most of the larger villages in the state by special laws. In most cases the free schools are gradeel. and comprise 3 or 4 distinct departments. furnishing instruction from the primary to a tull acadienne course. Being entirely free and whlou the reach of all. they afford to every Ochov. Jay, in 1900, Gov. Gen. Clinton, in 1802. Gov. Lewis. in 1.04 :1 05, and Gov. Tompkins, in several meressive years, urged upon the Legislature the necessity of revising the school : laws and of making more liberal appropriations for the sigort child. regardless of his position in life, an opportunity to seent a thorough English education. These free schools rank among the last public schools in the country: and they have thus far proveri superior to those in which the raie bill system is retained. i of . hools. Several bills were introduced into the Legislature; 3 In his message Governor Clinton uses the following lan- but they were all defeated in either the Senate or Assembly. In quage .-. While it is evident that the general establishment [ the mean time the school moneys gradually increasel. and were and liberal endowment of academies are highly to be com- funded by the Comptroller, laying the foundation of the present mended and are attruded with the most beneficial consequences. i large school fund.
137
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
appointed to report a complete system for the organization and establishment of cominon schools. The commissioners made a report, accompanied by a draft of a bill, Feb. 14, 1812. The report was accepted by the Legislature, and the bill became a law.1 Under this act, Gideon Hawley was ap- pointed Superintendent, and continued in office from 1813 to 1821. The great success which this system met with, and the firm hold which it speedily attained, is mainly due to the administrative abilities and indefatigable exertions of Mr. Hawley. Several important changes were made in the law during his administration, all of which tended greatly to improve the schools. In 1821 the office of State Superintendent was abolished, and the superintendence of schools was made an ap- pendage to the department of Secretary of State. Every successive year the Governor and Secre- tary of State urged upon the Legislature the necessity of systematizing the schools and of correcting obvious defects in the existing laws.2 In 1835 a law was passed providing for the esta- blishment of teachers' departments in 8 academies, 1 in each of the Senatorial Districts of the State.3 In 1838 the District Library system was established by law ;4 and in 1841 the office of Deputy Su- perintendent was created.5 In 1843 the Board of Town Inspectors and School Commissioners was abolished and the office of Town Superintendent was substituted. May 7, 1844, an act was passed for the establishment of a State Normal School; and the school was opened at Albany on the 18th of Dec. following.6
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